Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: I Missed You
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Do-yoon bid farewell to the Dean and a few of the instructors. They saw him off with pleased hearts, congratulating their grown disciple on joining World Tree.
Sophie had already settled on following Do-yoon.
And then Do-yoon exchanged goodbyes with Debussy.
Do-yoon decided not to take Debussy with him.
Just as in his previous life, he would be incredibly busy this time around too. It wasn't realistic to personally look after everyone he'd grown fond of. Debussy simply wasn't talented enough to warrant Do-yoon raising him directly.
It was a heartless decision. But Do-yoon had no room to think about anything beyond slaying the Demon King.
He felt stress from this mindset himself, but this was how the hero Enoch lived.
"Get along well with Sophie. Though it seems like she'll end up eating her husband, so it'll be tough."
"...That's not it. And 'eating her husband'? Where are you going to find a girl as sweet and gentle as Sophie?"
"...Gentle? Sweet?"
Debussy grimaced as if he'd heard something he shouldn't have.
"...I see. So that's how it is. No wonder her vibe changes so much around you."
"What?"
"Nothing. Pretend you didn't hear that. I don't want to get kicked to death by Sophie's hooves."
"...?"
"See you later."
Do-yoon tilted his head for a moment but didn't dwell on it. More importantly, he had something else to say to Debussy.
The parting from Debussy was purely a matter of efficiency. Do-yoon didn't take their bond lightly.
"Yeah. Thanks."
Do-yoon remembered the selfless kindness Debussy had shown throughout their time at the Cradle. It was incredibly valuable.
So, Do-yoon decided to leave him a small gift.
"...When you have time later."
"Hm?"
"In the southwest Ramuzin Desert on the continent. There should be a red-skinned elf living there."
Debussy wondered if this was some random nonsense, but he listened quietly. Do-yoon wasn't the type to spout rubbish.
"Desert elves are rare, but you shouldn't have trouble finding her. Give her this."
Do-yoon pulled out a bundle of prepared parchment and handed it to Debussy. Inside was a confession of his identity as Enoch and an urging to repay her debt to the Blood Ghost. She would surely help Debussy as Do-yoon requested.
It didn't matter if Debussy opened the parchment. Its contents were encrypted in a code only those versed in blood magic could decipher.
While spending time with Debussy, Do-yoon had thought this vampire race would pair perfectly with blood magic.
If he could find her, it would be a tremendous stroke of fortune for Debussy.
"..."
Debussy took it, glanced at it indifferently, then tucked it carefully into his bosom.
"And?"
"She'll be your strength."
"Got it."
There was no lengthy conversation. But the intent was fully conveyed. They'd always talked like this.
"Call it a parting gift."
"Thanks."
Debussy asked no more. Who she was, how Do-yoon knew her, why no further explanation.
There must be a reason he wasn't saying. Do-yoon was that kind of guy. That's what he thought.
"Take care."
"You too. See you."
That was it. Enoch and Debussy shook hands lightly and turned away without lingering.
They boarded separate carriages, but their aspirations were the same.
They hoped that one day, they would meet on the same battlefield.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Eloa, sharing the carriage with Do-yoon, couldn't sit still from sheer nervousness.
Meanwhile, Millaine beamed as she lavished them with treats.
"It'll take a while to reach the guild house, so please help yourselves to some refreshments! This is from a magically preserved storage, so the fruit is super fresh and chilled!"
"Thank you."
Do-yoon politely accepted Millaine's hospitality.
But Sophie, as if something was bothering her, kept glancing around warily without touching the snacks.
"Cadet Sophie? What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
"Oh, no...! Just... n-nervous..."
"Don't be nervous! The guild members will welcome you like family!"
"Y-yes..."
Sophie gave suitable replies to ease Millaine's worries while stealing glances at Eloa.
Sophie was bothered by Eloa. The way she eyed Do-yoon felt off. Somehow, her feminine instincts kept prickling.
And of all things, such a stunning beauty.
'Her breasts are huge...'
Through her spirit beast senses, Sophie detected the enormous breasts hidden beneath Eloa's ceremonial armor—sizes incomparable to her own.
It was a body type impossible among her kin, who had small chests and extremely developed lower bodies.
Sophie focused her senses on Do-yoon's crotch. She let out a sigh of relief. It showed no reaction whatsoever.
Considering how it had twitched every time they were together, this was a huge relief.
'Just as the hero said... he likes hips...?'
Sophie patted her chest unnecessarily. Do-yoon certainly hadn't denied the hero's words.
But she couldn't let her guard down. Even setting aside Do-yoon's tastes, Eloa was too beautiful.
Sophie fidgeted her hips anxiously.
"We're here!"
The carriage arrived at World Tree's guild house.
"Wow..."
The cadets who disembarked gasped in admiration at the guild house's grand exterior.
It was a building befitting the top guild, like a noble's mansion. Especially striking were the thick wooden vines wrapping around the outer walls.
Sophie sensed a refreshingly pleasant energy emanating from the building. So vibrant and fresh.
'From those vines...?'
The vines seemed to play some role.
Do-yoon and the cadets entered the house and received a briefing under Millaine's guidance.
There wasn't much to it. For today, get assigned rooms and explore the interior freely.
But during the briefing, Sophie tugged at Do-yoon's sleeve.
"Hm?"
"Um, Do-yoon Cad— I mean, Do-yoon... sir..."
She whispered something into Do-yoon's ear.
Do-yoon's eyes lit up upon hearing it. Luck was on his side right from the start.
"The official induction and training will be tomorrow. For now, follow that cat beastkin over there to get your rooms assigned. Alright, then..."
"W-wait a moment."
Eloa interrupted Millaine.
"Apostle Han Do-yoon... let's have a talk, just us."
"Oh, right. Since it's not a standard contract, there must be a lot to sort out. Apostle Han Do-yoon, will you head up with the Master?"
"Yes."
Do-yoon nodded and followed Eloa, who walked with stiff steps. It seemed the moment had arrived.
With each step up the stairs, Eloa felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. Do-yoon could sense her heartbeat too.
"I'll bring some refreshments~"
Millaine left the two in the reception room, humming cheerfully as she exited.
As the humming faded outside the door, silence settled over the reception room.
"..."
"..."
Eloa couldn't bear the awkward silence and rolled her eyes like they were having an earthquake.
'W-what do I do? What should I say?'
Her mind was a whirlwind. She couldn't grasp how to broach the subject.
Hero? I missed you? No, that wasn't it. She wasn't 100% sure Do-yoon was the hero yet.
Then what? You're the hero, right? No, that wouldn't work either. If her suspicions were just delusion, how would she handle the embarrassment?
Eloa kept her hands on her knees, head bowed, unable to open her mouth.
Do-yoon shook his head inwardly at the sight.
'Guess I have to start.'
Do-yoon gathered his thoughts for a moment.
"Here you go! I'm swamped with the new recruits, so take your time chatting~"
In the meantime, Millaine entered, set down tea and snacks, and left again. Naturally, Eloa still hadn't spoken.
The fragrant tea aroma gently filled the room. Before sipping, Do-yoon caught the scent and his eyes gleamed.
'This tea...'
Enoch had enjoyed fine cuisine in his previous life.
Gourmet pursuits were one of the few hobbies he indulged in while relentlessly charging toward his goal. It was his survival method against the endless stress piling up from regressions.
He often enjoyed tea ceremonies too, especially favoring the special tea leaves from the guild house's exclusive chef, affectionately called 'Uncle'.
Everyone in the guild, regardless of age or gender, called him Uncle. He was a portly, mustachioed man with a disheveled beard who made you drowsy just looking at him, but his culinary skills were unmatched.
Curiously, he never used any assistant chefs, handling meals and snacks for dozens of guild members single-handedly, and allowed no one in his kitchen.
Except one. Only the scrawny little chick Eloa could enter and fetch snacks.
'She managed to learn the secret recipe.'
Uncle never shared his recipes with anyone. Even Enoch couldn't uncover the tea leaf secret across 18 regressions.
Yet Uncle had apparently yielded to the persistent chirping of the chick who wanted to brew tea for the hero.
Do-yoon lifted the teacup and savored the aroma.
"...A nostalgic scent."
Eloa snapped her head up.
"...Pardon?"
She replied involuntarily in a trembling voice, using formal speech.
What did he just say? Did I hear wrong?
'Clearly... nostalgic... scent...'
Do-yoon closed his eyes and took a small sip of the tea.
"...!"
It was exactly the same. The habit of sipping just a tiny bit and letting it coat his mouth to savor the flavor.
Just like the hero.
"Eloa."
Eloa stared blankly at Do-yoon, her eyes wide as if they might tear.
"I don't know where to begin."
Do-yoon set down his teacup while gazing at his little chick.
"Ah... A-ah..."
Eloa's heart raced like it would burst.
Her mouth hung open, emitting strange sounds.
She still couldn't believe it.
Really... really...
'Really...?'
Eloa rose from her seat as if entranced. Her legs trembled violently.
And then.
"Let's have a hug for old times' sake, my little chick."
She threw herself into the hero's arms.